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A review by jstilts
The Bachelors of Broken Hill by Arthur Upfield
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Great fun!
An unusual entry into the series of Inspector Napoleon Bonaparte novels as it takes place entirely in a city rather than at a Homestead or rural location, but Boney seems quite at home solving a series of murders in Broken Hill as anywhere else - openly teaming up with the local constabulary rather than going undercover for once. Mind you he does at times, rather inconsistently, use a false name - Inspector Knapp - but that could be the characters arrogance that his name would precede him, and his probably right.
Bonaparte also joins forces with a cat burglar, with great glee on the Inspectors side but understandable reluctance on the burglars side - and much of the joy of the book is seeing these two commit crime in order to solve murder, leading to an ending that is by turns intense and hilarious.
Also notable is that very little attention is drawn to the fact that Inspector Bonaparte is Aboriginal. Normally his heritage makes a large mark in the book, both on his thoughts and the opinions of others (written and set in the late 40s early 50s this is significant whichever way you look at it) - and there were quite a few moments where I expected characters to take issue with it, but didn't.
That curious footnote aside, a highly recommended read but not a typical entry in the series.
An unusual entry into the series of Inspector Napoleon Bonaparte novels as it takes place entirely in a city rather than at a Homestead or rural location, but Boney seems quite at home solving a series of murders in Broken Hill as anywhere else - openly teaming up with the local constabulary rather than going undercover for once. Mind you he does at times, rather inconsistently, use a false name - Inspector Knapp - but that could be the characters arrogance that his name would precede him, and his probably right.
Bonaparte also joins forces with a cat burglar, with great glee on the Inspectors side but understandable reluctance on the burglars side - and much of the joy of the book is seeing these two commit crime in order to solve murder, leading to an ending that is by turns intense and hilarious.
Also notable is that very little attention is drawn to the fact that Inspector Bonaparte is Aboriginal. Normally his heritage makes a large mark in the book, both on his thoughts and the opinions of others (written and set in the late 40s early 50s this is significant whichever way you look at it) - and there were quite a few moments where I expected characters to take issue with it, but didn't.
That curious footnote aside, a highly recommended read but not a typical entry in the series.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Mental illness and Murder